Fire-alarm device



July 6 1926.

C. H. MATTER FIRE ALARM DEVICE Filed April 23, 71924 INVENI'OR ATTORNEY WITNEISS:

Patented July 6 1926.

UNITED STATES CHARLES H. MATTER, OF NEW'PORT, RHODE ISLAND.

FIRE-ALARM DEVICE.

Application filed April 2-3, 1924.

This invention relates to fire alarm de vices, and has for its objectthe provision of a novel circuit closer for closing a circuit through an alarm in case the temperature within a room, building or other place to be protected exceeds a certain safe degree.

An important object is the provision of a device of this character embodying a contact device including or formed as an arm of flexible material held normally stiff by a covering which will fuse or soften at a certain degree of heat and thereby permit the flexible arm to move into engagement with a contact.

An additional object is the provision of a device of this character which will be very simple and inexpensive in manufacture, easy to apply, positive in action, efficient and durable in service and a. general improvement in the art.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view the invention consists in the details of construction to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of my device showing it mounted and con nected in circuit with an alarm device,

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the movable contact arm,

Figure 3 is a cross section showing the hook contact,

Figure l is a view similar to Figure 1 with the arm in section and showing the arm somewhat modified.

Referring more particularly to the drawings I have shown my device as comprising a base 10 of any desired size, shape and material. This base supports the circuit closer device and is adapted to be mounted upon the ceiling of a room or the like by means of a securing screw 1.1 or its equiv alent. Carried by this base is a metallic support 12 held. in place by or at least connected with a binding post 13, and also carried by the base is a hook shaped contact 14 held in place by or electrically conncctec with a second binding post 15.

The essential element of the device is an elongated arm designed broadly by the numeral 16, which arm is formed as a suitable length of very flexible wire or other conductor 17 soldered or otherwise fastened to the an port 12 at one end and having its ether en carrying a comparatively heavy Serial No. 708,600.

metal contact shoe soldered or otherwise secured thereto. This flexible wire 17 is encased in a protective sheath 19 of some composition which will readily soften at a certain desired temperature, for instance such a temperature as will exist sometime prior to actual kindling of material. The arm 16 is so constructed and the nature of this sheath or covering is such'that under ordinary temperature conditions the arm will extend in an upwardly inclined position and in spaced relation to the hook contact 14:. In actual practice it is intended that the device be mounted on the ceiling and that the binding posts 13 and 15 be connected in series with a bell B, or other arm and a battery C.

In the operation it is obvious that when. the temperature reaches a dangerous degree the sheath or covering 19 on the arm will soften, whereupon the extremely flexible wire 17 therein will bend down and permit the contact shoe 18 to engage the contact 14 and close the circuit through the alarm.

In Figure 4, I have shown a slight modification in which the protective sheath or covering for the arm is prolonged to define an extension 20 which may be melted onto the underside of the base for giving the arm greater stiffness and preventing it from sagging down unexpectedly.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that I have thus provided an extremely simple device for the purpose specified and one which is also readily capable of use in many other capacities. The device is exceedingly simple and its cost of manufacture and installation will be very slight. Its use in connection with a lire alarm will inevitably safeguard life and property. The device might be used in connection with a hell circuit, distant fire station or any other alarm device of any kind whatsoever and it is obvious that the current employed might be that from batteries or from power lines, in which latter event it is probable that the current should be stepped down by a transformer. It is evident that the length, thickncss, inclination, material and other details of the flexible arm may be varied within wide limits to suit the purposes for which the device is intended and in accordance with where and how it is mounted and. the character er current used If the device he delicately it be well. suitable for use as a thermostatic circuit closer to ring an alarm for indicating excessive tem perature in an incubator, breeder, or milk sterilizer. Absolutely no limitation is de sired as to the exact- .use.

Vhile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention it is of course to be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts as Will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

'Having thus described my invention I claim:

A device of the character described comprising an elongated supporting base of insulating material, a stationary contact mounted upon the underside thereof near one endand having a terminal hook portion,

a second contact secured on the underside t of said base near the other end thereof, a leaf spring secured to the free end oi? said second named contac and a mass o'i composition embedding the free end of said second named contact but leaving the free end portion of said leal spring exposed, said composition being of a nature to retain its shape under normal temperature conditions but to soften and permit downward yielding of said leaf spring upon an 02' ces, ive rise in temperature whereby the leaf spring may engage the hooklike terminal. of the first named contact, the leaf spring being located above the terminal hook and being adapted to remain seated thereon when ngaged therewith.

In testimony Whereoi. I a'liix my signature.

CHARLES H. MATTER. 

